As we look ahead toward September, we will soon be celebrating the secular holiday of Labor Day. Although we often just think of this holiday as a great excuse to have a three day weekend, it in fact symbolizes a critical milestone for ordinary workers across the world. Back in the nineteenth century, one of the key demands workers fought for in labor strikes, and often suffered tremendous harassment doing so, was the establishment of the 8 hour work day. Most workers at the time (including children) had to work anywhere from 12-16 hours every day, with some workers even pulling a 24 hour shift on occasion. This allowed barely any time for the other necessities of life so the rally cry among workers was “8 hours for work, 8 hours for rest, 8 hours for what you will.” This call for a balance between work and rest echoes directly to the concept of Shabbat, when we set aside at least one day of the week aside for rest, prayer, meditation, etc. It allows us to recharge our metaphorical batteries and prepare for the upcoming week. In the 21st century, we now have this opportunity not just on Shabbat but every day, thanks to the collective efforts of workers to make their lives more manageable and productive. This Labor Day, let us all be grateful for the benefits we enjoy in the workplace (and those that still need to be enacted).
In other news, our Religious School started up again this past Sunday and it went very well. The kids are excited for all the projects and field trips they will be taking this year. Please continue to spread the word about our amazing program!
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for September 8th, when we will be hosting a booth at the Solano Stroll in Albany and Berkeley. We and the rest of the Board and the Religious School families will be volunteering to help spread the word about our wonderful community. We encourage all members who are able to do so as well! Larry will be sending out sign-up sheets as we get closer to the event.
Torah Study on Zoom takes place every Saturday at 10:15 AM. And finally, our next Shabbat Service will be held on Friday, September 6, at 7:30 PM, hosted by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Marney.
From the Presidents – August 30, 202
August 30, 2024 by tbhrich • president
Hello Everyone!
As we look ahead toward September, we will soon be celebrating the secular holiday of Labor Day. Although we often just think of this holiday as a great excuse to have a three day weekend, it in fact symbolizes a critical milestone for ordinary workers across the world. Back in the nineteenth century, one of the key demands workers fought for in labor strikes, and often suffered tremendous harassment doing so, was the establishment of the 8 hour work day. Most workers at the time (including children) had to work anywhere from 12-16 hours every day, with some workers even pulling a 24 hour shift on occasion. This allowed barely any time for the other necessities of life so the rally cry among workers was “8 hours for work, 8 hours for rest, 8 hours for what you will.” This call for a balance between work and rest echoes directly to the concept of Shabbat, when we set aside at least one day of the week aside for rest, prayer, meditation, etc. It allows us to recharge our metaphorical batteries and prepare for the upcoming week. In the 21st century, we now have this opportunity not just on Shabbat but every day, thanks to the collective efforts of workers to make their lives more manageable and productive. This Labor Day, let us all be grateful for the benefits we enjoy in the workplace (and those that still need to be enacted).
In other news, our Religious School started up again this past Sunday and it went very well. The kids are excited for all the projects and field trips they will be taking this year. Please continue to spread the word about our amazing program!
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for September 8th, when we will be hosting a booth at the Solano Stroll in Albany and Berkeley. We and the rest of the Board and the Religious School families will be volunteering to help spread the word about our wonderful community. We encourage all members who are able to do so as well! Larry will be sending out sign-up sheets as we get closer to the event.
Torah Study on Zoom takes place every Saturday at 10:15 AM. And finally, our next Shabbat Service will be held on Friday, September 6, at 7:30 PM, hosted by Rabbi Dean and Cantor Marney.
Thank you everyone!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when? -Rabbi Hillel